An aerodynamic Gaza pullout?

Israel consider using hovercrafts, landing crafts to evacuate thousands of Gaza settlers during pullout, Ynet has learned; security source says using these boats will solve problem of Gaza'a narrow roads
By Ronny Sofer

The ultimate solution to evacuate thousands from Gaza? The defense establishment is considering the possibility of using hovercrafts and landing crafts to assist in the evacuation of hundreds of settlers from the Gaza Strip, a security official said on Wednesday.

Security officials have warned that anti-pullout supporters may attempt to block the main roads in the region and flock en masse to the Kissufim crossing on the Gaza border in a bid to stop forces from entering.

Israel plans to start its evacuation of all 21 settlements in Gaza and four of the 120 in the West Bank next week.

Gush Katif’s narrow roads, where thousands of military and police vehicles, as well as heavy trucks are expected to travel, has become one of the more problematic issues regarding next week’s pullout.

A realistic possibility

The idea to use hovercrafts arose following lengthy discussions and is based upon IDF’s experiences in the 1982 Lebanon war.

The defense establishment is currently discussing the issue, as well as whether to lease or purchase several hovercrafts and landing crafts to enable the forces access into the Gush Katif settlement bloc from the sea.

According to the plan, once a certain settlement is evacuated, settlers and infiltrators would be transported to the coast on buses where the crafts would wait for them.

This plan could prevent clashes along Gush Katif’s roads, especially at the Kissufim Crossing during pullout, the security official said.

“This is part of our same approach - to cleverly act regarding this difficult and sensitive issue,” the source told Ynet. “This possibility is very realistic, however it has not yet been decided whether implementing it would solve the problem.”